Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson

 

Lady Bird Johnson, born in Karnack, Texas in 1912, was an American first lady known for her dedication to beautification and environmentalism during her husband Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency. Raised by her aunt after her mother's death, Lady Bird found solace in nature and literature, shaping her into the intelligent and frugal woman she became. Attending the University of Texas at Austin, she excelled in history and journalism, skills that would serve her well in her future endeavors. Meeting Lyndon Johnson in 1934, they quickly married and went on to have two daughters. Lady Bird's legacy as a First Lady and environmentalist continues to inspire many today.

In 1937, Lady Bird Johnson generously used $10,000 from her inheritance to support her husband Lyndon Johnson's first congressional campaign. After his victory, she graciously guided constituents around the capital, showcasing its main attractions. While Lyndon served in the military during World War II, Lady Bird efficiently managed his congressional office, honing her skills in constituent relations.

In 1943, the Johnsons invested in a radio station in Austin, with Lady Bird taking the reins as manager. Her dedication and expertise led to the station's success, despite speculation about the influence of her husband's political connections. As Lyndon's career flourished, Lady Bird actively participated in campaigns, eventually becoming a skilled public speaker. During Lyndon's vice presidency, she assembled a capable staff, including Liz Carpenter, to navigate the challenges they faced after President Kennedy's tragic assassination.

Lady Bird Johnson was a force to be reckoned with during the 1964 election, hitting the campaign trail hard despite the challenges her husband faced in the South. She refused to give up on any state, even riding through seven Southern states on the “Lady Bird Special” to rally support for Lyndon Johnson. As first lady, she didn't just sit back and relax. She dove headfirst into initiatives like Head Start and her beloved beautification program. Encouraging people to take pride in their surroundings, she formed the First Lady’s Committee for a More Beautiful Capital and pushed for the Highway Beautification Bill, facing backlash from billboard advertisers. Despite the criticism, her efforts paid off when the bill became law in 1965. Lady Bird Johnson wasn't just a first lady, she was a force of nature.

After Lyndon Johnson decided not to run for reelection in 1968, Lady Bird Johnson stayed busy with official duties while also getting ready for retirement in Texas. She focused on her family and environmental causes, like the National Wildflower Research Center (now the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center). Even though she helped out with her son-in-law's political campaigns, most of her time was spent on her family business and spending time with her grandchildren. Lady Bird Johnson started recording her thoughts in daily tape recordings during her time in the White House. Some of those recordings were used for her book, A White House Diary (1970), which gave a detailed look at her life as a president's wife. After her husband passed away in 1973, she split her time between the LBJ ranch and her home in Austin.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.